Beirut is banking on its relations with Baghdad and opening its doors to Iraqi investors., 13 APRIL

  Beirut is banking on its relations with Baghdad and opening its doors to Iraqi investors.

Lebanese Labor Minister Mohammed Haidar affirmed on Saturday that the relationship between Beirut and Baghdad is solid, noting the Lebanese government's efforts to facilitate the work of Iraqi investors.

The Lebanese Minister of Labor said in a press statement that "the relationship between the new Lebanese government and the Iraqi government is solid and strong, and the fraternal bond between the Lebanese and Iraqis goes back a long history.

 This bond was evident during the Zionist war on Lebanon and the Iraqis' embrace of the Lebanese who were forced to flee to Baghdad." He added that "Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's opinion on developing the relationship with Baghdad expresses the government's direction and the demands of the Lebanese people."

Haidar addressed "the visit of the Director General of Lebanese General Security, Major General Hassan Choucair, to Iraq this week, which aims to enhance communication at the security level and discuss the exchange of services and the import of oil from Iraq," pointing to "positive results that will be built upon in the coming period regarding Iraq's contribution to improving the operation of Lebanese power plants and supplying them with fuel."

He pointed out that "President General Joseph Aoun announced an Arab tour that he will undertake, and that one of his priorities is to visit Iraq, and thus represent Lebanon at the Arab Summit in Baghdad with the participation of an official Lebanese delegation to meet with Iraqi officials there." He indicated that "Iraq's support for Lebanon in establishing security is fundamental, as is helping to expel the Zionist enemy from Lebanese territory, and asking our Arab brothers, specifically the Iraqis, to return to investing in Beirut, so that Lebanon can regain its leading role in the region."

The minister stressed the "continuation of work on the memoranda of understanding signed by the previous government with the Iraqi Ministry of Labor, and the amendment of any amendments that can be made, in coordination with his Iraqi counterpart, Ahmed Al-Asadi, whom he will meet in Egypt next week, and with whom he will address the issue of improving opportunities for Lebanese workers in Iraq and Iraqi workers in Lebanon, and opening up new areas of work."

 He pointed out that "foreign workers in Lebanon only benefit from a portion of the health benefits, but based on the principle of reciprocity, if the ministry finds that a Lebanese worker in Iraq receives comprehensive insurance, the Iraqi worker in Lebanon will be granted comprehensive insurance. This matter is currently under investigation and will be resolved soon."

He stated that "the labor market and the need for foreign workers, including Iraqis, were studied to determine the actual need, and Iraqi workers were informed of the sectors with vacancies so they could employ their expertise. The government is also working to attract Iraqi investors, provide them with full facilities, and initiate investment projects in Lebanon, especially since the period of security instability will soon end."

He pointed out that "the residency requirements for Iraqis in Lebanon are clearly visible on the Lebanese Ministry of Labor's website for anyone wishing to come to Beirut."

He continued: "Projects between Lebanon and Iraq have been delayed due to domestic, regional, and international events, but the government will resume work on them. The primary reason for not reactivating the oil pipeline linking Iraq to Tripoli in northern Lebanon is the need for it to pass through Syria, which has delayed its implementation."

He noted that "there is a trend toward amending the law, hoping to actually achieve this in order to restore projects that serve Lebanon, Iraq, and the region." link